Returning service member care

• Five years cost-free heathcare for conditions possibly related to your deployment including all services such as:
  • Doctor visits
  • Specialty care including Mental Health, Orthopedics, Neurology, Audiology & Dermatology
  • Women’s Health
  • Nurse visits
  • Medications
  • Physical & occupational therapy
  • Surgery
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • and more ...
• No formal service connected disability or proof of injury required for free care
• Dental exam, cleaning and any reasonably necessary dental care if not received with 90 days of separation AND requested from VA within 180 days of separation from active duty.

The Post-9/11 Transition and Care Management Program offers transitional assistance, case management and outreach services to all Veterans who have served after September 11, 2001 in their transition to civilian life. For more information about the various programs available for recent returning service members, log on to the Returning Servicemembers web site.

Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations also have special eligibility for VA health care. Under the "Combat Veteran" authority VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6 or higher for 5 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.

Combat Veterans who enroll with VA under this enhanced Combat Veteran authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends, although they may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable copays. Additionally, for care not related to combat service, copays may be required depending on their financial assessment and other special eligibility factors.

NOTE: The 5-year enrollment period applicable to these Veterans begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.